House Bill 1167

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 3-3-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL OFFICIAL STATE FLAGS THAT ARE DISPLAYED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE STATE CAPITOL SHALL BE DISPLAYED AND CERTIFIED AS SUCH BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL ANNUALLY PROCURE A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF OFFICIAL STATE FLAGS FOR DISPLAY ON THE GROUNDS OF THE STATE CAPITOL, WHICH AFTER BEING DISPLAYED SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO EACH MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC; TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO ADOPT RULES PROVIDING FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF OFFICIAL STATE FLAGS THAT ARE DISPLAYED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE STATE CAPITOL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 3-3-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

3-3-15. (1) The state flag may be displayed from all public buildings from sunrise to sunset; however, the state flag may be displayed from all public buildings twenty-four (24) hours a day if properly illuminated. The state flag should not be displayed when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed. The state flag shall receive all of the respect and ceremonious etiquette given the American flag. Provided, however, nothing in this section shall be construed so as to affect the precedence given to the flag of the United States of America.

(2) All official state flags that are displayed on the grounds of the State Capitol shall be displayed and certified as such by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall annually procure a sufficient number of official state flags for display on the grounds of the State Capitol, which after being displayed shall be made available to each member of the House of Representatives and the Senate for distribution to the public. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules providing for the distribution of official state flags that are displayed on the grounds of the State Capitol.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.